Hyderabad: Fake messages about the government cracking down on bank lockers are taking their toll.
The message being circulated, especially on WhatsApp, states: “2nd step of surgical strike on bank lockers... be alert... Advance notice on 1 more MSS (Modi surgical strike).. Now lets talk about digital lockers — from a specific date you will not be able to operate your bank locker with your keys. It can be opened only digitally in the presence of a government revenue officer or police official. If any jewellery is found without substantial evidence, only 600 gms will be allowed per lady member in a family, which will be substantiated through ID proofs like ration card, pan card, passport etc. Balance for all jewellery and gold bars diamond n other materials valid bills will be required. Otherw-ise valuation will be compounded 3 times and taxes will be collected accordingly... Confirmed news (sic).”
This message is being circulated on WhatsApp groups and social media since November 9 and has led to panic among bank locker holders, especially women.
Several banks have witnessed women submitting applications to close their digital lockers. Bank staff is having a tough time convincing women that the messages are fake, and they need not close their locker accounts.
Officials alerted their higher-ups, who in turn approached the Union finance ministry for a clarification. This forced finance minister Arun Jaitley to give a clarification on Friday, denying any move to digitise personal lockers in banks.
“Completely factually incorrect. There is no such proposal,” he said. Though Mr Jaitley's clarification dispelled the rumours, these messages continue to create panic among people.
